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Disabled Puppy Found Abandoned In Box In North Bergen

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- An adorable puppy was found abandoned in a box in North Bergen, New Jersey this week, along with heartbreaking note.

As CBS 2's Cindy Hsu reported, the puppy, nicknamed Bruno, is a Weimaraner-pitbull mix, likely around 4 months old. He was found under a tree in North Bergen by a man who wanted to stay anonymous.

The man said he was driving by on Wednesday and pulled over when he saw a large white box.

"I kind of moved it, and I heard some noise, and when I opened it, that's when I saw this beautiful puppy and the note saying: 'Please help me. I can't walk'".

Indeed, the puppy seemed partially paralyzed. He could not walk or even stand up.

"Honestly I almost started tearing, because he's a beautiful puppy, and he has beautiful eyes, and he tries to walk," the man said.

The man took the puppy home, where he already has three other dogs.

"It breaks my heart. All my dogs, basically, I found on the street – I take them in.

So he called Bergen County Protect & Rescue, a no-kill shelter. Michele Shiber is an animal control officer, and said whoever left Bruno in the box was likely afraid.

"I think people are afraid of repercussions for doing something, but what they don't understand is that there's repercussions for abandoning an animal to begin with," Shiber said.

In Bergen County, offenders can face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for abandoning an animal. Shiber said the right thing to do is to call police or a local shelter.

Bruno needs lots of love and special care, so he will likely go to a foster family first for rehabilitation, and then go up for adoption.

As of Friday, Bruno was in the care of doctors who were looking into whether his condition was caused by abuse. When he is ready to be adopted, it will be handled by the shelter.

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